CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – March is Women’s History Month and this year, 22News is once again recognizing the Remarkable Women of western Massachusetts. Each week, 22News will share the finalists of Remarkable Women and on April 2nd, the winner will be announced.
This week, we introduce our first finalist: Tracy Friedenberg, who has dedicated a big part of her life to empowering people in the community.
“But especially women… and empower them in order to gain economic independence, to be able to find themselves, to be able to come back from hardships or challenges that they face. Just feels really good to be able to be a part of that,” said Friedenberg.
Friedenberg is President of the Board of Directors for Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, an organization that started out as a place for women to get professional clothes for job interviews. Now, it is so much more, offering workforce development programs like digital literacy and networking… in addition to interview-worthy outfits. Friedenberg says she often brought to tears by the incredible community of women she sees there.
“To see individuals who have had such a hard time, who have been let down, who have reasons not to trust anyone in the world and watch these groups come together and lean on each other, support each other, with the same intent of bettering themselves, is really tremendous,” said Friedenberg.
She helped secure the new location for Dress for Success on Lyman Street after it’s storefront in the Eastfield Mall closed. This larger space means they can host events and educational programming, “It was wonderful to be able to watch us move to another space and see us flourish and see our impact grow based on where we are located.”
Born and raised in Springfield’s East Forest Park neighborhood, Friedenberg has always been a go-getter. Commitment, kindness and the importance of a good education were all instilled in her at home.
“Always had workbooks, learning to read from an early age, always challenging us to know different things and it became a way that I bonded with my father,” said Friedenberg.
She received two undergrad degrees and one MBA from UMass Amherst. She has taken leadership roles in several companies and in September, she became the Executive Director of the law firm Bacon Wilson.
She told 22News, “I realized early on in my career that I would always be a behind the scenes kind of person, in the sense that I always wanted to be able to help the business keep the lights on if you will.”
In addition to Dress for Success and her job at Bacon Wilson, she is also has a 12-year-old daughter.
Alessandra Graziani has known Friedenberg since childhood. She’s also the person that nominated Friedenberg for the Remarkable Women contest.
“Tracy is very dedicated and committed to what she believes in whether its academics, social engagements, the community… and she strives to always do her best,” said Graziana.
Common Threads, a major fundraiser for Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, is coming up on April 11.
Alanna Flood is a reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since 2022. Follow Alanna on X @alannafloodnews and view her bio to see more of her work.
Alanna Flood
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